Tonight we'll be taking a look at some trailers for movies coming out these next two weeks. Almost all of them are Indy films with limited releases. Some are cute. Some are dramatic. Some are pure nightmare fuel! Enjoy!

Clown (6/17/2016):

I present Nightmare Fuel #1! Freakin' clowns... So I saw this trailer a few years ago and was confused about it's current release date. Seems it was released overseas and is now getting a limited viewing here in the States. I have to be honest, clowns freak me out. And while this movie looks really interesting, I cringe during the trailer. Specifically with the taking off of the nose bit... Yeah...

I'm only familiar with Peter Stormare (Prison Break, Armageddon), who seems to be a supporting character in the film, but I always enjoy his roles. Generally it's creepy, sleazy roles, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. It is produced and/or "presented by" Eli Roth (Hostel, Cabin Fever), another red flag for me. He is into gore movies and I try to avoid gore for the sake of gore. He didn't direct, though, so we'll see. I wouldn't mind trying to watch this movie once it hits Netflix/RBox. I'm sure it will creep the hell out of me!

Swiss Army Man (6/17/2016):

I'm not exactly sure what to say about this one. It looks... interesting. The plotline seems so farfetched and ridiculous, but I suppose that's the point. I couldn't really tell from the trailer, but I guess the corpse, Daniel Radcliffe (The Woman in Black, Harry Potter), discovered by Paul Dano (Looper, Little Miss Sunshine) is prone to flatulence. To the Nth extreme degree? I don't know, but I'm assuming that's what fuels a lot of the more supernatural abilities the character has. Or maybe I've misunderstood some write-ups I've read. Either way, it sounds ridiculous.

I'm not sure I know the directors, Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, who also wrote the script. Sounds like they make a lot of short films, so maybe this is one of their first forays into a bigger project? Mary Elizabeth Winstead (10 Cloverfield Lane, The Thing) co-stars, but I'm sure this movie focuses primarily on the dynamic duo of Dano and Radcliffe. The trailer looks to be just sequenced shots of surreal situations and visuals. Really well done surreal scenes, I might add. The film looks visually stunning.

Those who have already seen Swiss Army Man at film festivals have given mixed reviews. I think I'd enjoy it, but on a budget viewing, just in case. I can't lie, the trailer is well done and intrigues me.

Tickled (6/17/2016):

So, then there's this? A documentary about supposed Competitive Endurance Tickling. Uh... what? I mean, this may be legit. The movie makes it seem that way, but I'm just wary of mockumentaries, where fake footage is presented to appear real. Anyhow, this is a bit bizarre, but yet wouldn't be entirely surprising. When you have someone claiming Tickle Cells and a Tickle Empire... I mean... come on... not likely, right? Or maybe...

Admittedly, that kind of roped me in. And then the trailer twists from being goofy and lighthearted to implying a more dark, sinister intention behind it all. The Tickle Monsters! RAR! But really, if legit and the threats of essentially blackmail are real, then that is some crazy stuff. Either way, the Tickle Empire apparently didn't have the clout to shut down this film. I swear, if the movie ends with the journalist suddenly being subjected to tickling, like some Blair Witch twist ending... Eh, I'd probably still enjoy it!

Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words (6/24/2016):

I have to be honest, I mostly just know Frank Zappa by name and not so much by his art. I may have to change that. I found the trailer and subject very interesting. I was especially intrigued by the fact that, while Zappa was against the War on Drugs (and Censorship and Politics), he rarely ever partook in any himself. He just believed it was someone's right to take into their body what they chose to. I can dig it.

A brief Wiki skim (I know, I know...) gave me some more tidbits about his life, which I'm sure will be covered in part by this documentary. I'm definitely wanting to learn more about this notorious musician and his not-so-mainstream views on life. I feel fairly ashamed I don't have more to say. The trailer, being snippets of interviews and performances, leaves me wanting more.

The Shallows - Trailer 3 (6/24/2016):

Nightmare Fuel #2. Though, honestly, Tickled may be close... cause that shit is real. Or it supposedly is. That being said, I could see a similar situation this movie features happening too. And after Jaws I've been afraid of sharks, so I wouldn't likely survive this scenario. Blake Lively (The Age of Adaline, Gossip Girl) may not either.

This is the third trailer released. The first is a good teaser and I almost picked it, but I really liked the voice-over of this new one. It builds up the same amount of tension, and is really well put together. Even if they injected some dubstep this time around. The second trailer is good too. Great pacing, shows the style of the film (which I think I'll really enjoy), but gives away a bit too much.

The Shallows is bound to get my heart pumping and I'm looking forward to it! I'm very curious to see how this does in theaters, because also lurking in the waters is Independence Day: Resurgence!

Wiener-Dog (6/24/2016):

And now we can finish with a little odd and cute. Wiener-Dog stars Charlie Tahan (Wayward Pines, I Am Legend), Greta Gerwig (Maggie's Plan, China, IL), and Danny DeVito (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Batman Returns). Okay, we all know who the star of the show is: Wiener-Dog. This seems like a slow, methodical offbeat comedy. I like some of the humor presented, and I can't help but feel reminded of Wes Anderson movies. The actual director, Todd Solondz (Storytelling, Welcome to the Dollhouse), is someone I'm not familiar with.

The movie centers around a wiener-dog and I am assuming its interactions shared among a variety of people. The cinematography looks great and it's bound to be a heartwarming tale in some fashion. Hopefully not heartbreaking... It will also be good to see DeVito in a movie again, I think it's been awhile. I really need to check out It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia! I hope this movie is well-received, even if I don't think it'll make an exceptionally big splash at the box office.

Did any of the featured movies interest you? Do you have a fear of clowns? What about clown suit masquerading demons?! What do you think about the Swiss Army Man trailer? Does it look a bit too strange and over the top, or just the right odd, creative display of talent you may enjoy? Are you ticklish? Do you think you could compete in a tickling endurance contest/challenge? Are you familiar with Frank Zappa and/or his work? If so, any favorites you'd recommend? Are you afraid sharks? Do you think you could survive a similar scenario featured in The Shallows? Are you a fan of Wiener-Dogs? Do you think Wiener-Dog is a movie you'd enjoy?

It’s been a long while, so I thought I would give a brief look into the reason(s) behind my absence. You’ll have to forgive my potentially awkward, stilted jibber-jabber. It may take some time for me to get warmed up…

Dreams in the Shade of Ink is back with more Flash Fiction for the A to Z Challenge 2017! Last year my segments throughout April painted a puzzled tapestry of prose and I hope to provide some new, entertaining stories that you'll enjoy!

recent META

The A to Z Challenge 2017 is over and it's time to reflect on how the event went! There were booster pack openings, there were storylines and mechanics to observe within the world of Magic: The Gathering!

Join me as I discuss the ups and downs of this year's Magic Mixer theme.

This year for the A to Z Challenge 2017 Meta MTG presents the Magic Mixer! What's that mean? Your guess is as good as mine... What I do know, however, is that this year's theme is obviously still all about Magic: The Gathering!

Join me as I attempt to highlight a different Magic set each day of the challenge in different ways, from pack openings to discussions about a set's storyline and/or mechanics!